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TOUR REPORT
OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE
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WINTER 2016
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obsports.com
urges, but make no mistake – each of
these young men wants to rule the
roost.
In comments made to ESPN about
the budding rivalry, Rory likely spoke
for all three when he stated, "I'd really
enjoy the challenge of us all being
there on Sunday at Augusta, or any
tournament for that matter. Competi-
tion and rivalry is very healthy for all
sport, and I'm happy that the world of
golf is hoping to see the three of us as
a repeat of the three-way rivalry be-
tween Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer,
and Gary Player. We're
not quite there yet, but
it'll be a lot of fun and
exciting golf if it hap-
pens." Rory, speaking on
behalf of every golf fan
out there, we agree.
>> When the comebacks finally
happen, they will be epic.
Anyone holding their breath for a
Tiger Woods return to tournament golf
in 2016 – let alone the winner's circle –
should ask for oxygen up front.
Tiger's most recent back surgery in
late October has left him with no im-
minent prospects for teeing it up any-
time soon. When asked at his Hero
World Challenge event in early De-
cember when he might imagine he'll
play again, Woods responded, "I have
no answer for that and neither does
my surgeon or my physios. There is no
timetable." Right now, his connection
with professional golf in 2016 will be
to serve as one of Davis Love III's five
vice-captains at the Ryder Cup, sched-
uled for late September at Hazeltine
National Golf Club in Minnesota.
Having said that, let's not forget
that among all the surgeries and time
away from the game, Woods is one of
the most determined, resilient, tough-
guy competitors golf has ever known.
If he can somehow make it back in
2016 and find himself in contention,
whether at a major or again at Greens-
boro, watch the TV ratings needle
break the glass. The pent-up demand
to see a Tiger victory is off-the-charts.
Only slightly less newsworthy
would be a stellar comeback season
from Phil Mickelson. Following an ut-
terly mediocre year that was barely
salvaged by a runner-up at the Mas-
ters and by an inspired Presidents Cup
performance as a Captain's pick, Lefty
hopes to rebound in 2016. Injuries,
family issues, and frankly, motivation
have affected his results the past two
years. Short of a Tiger victory lap,
nothing would be sweeter than to wit-
ness Philly Mick finally get his U.S.
Open win.
>> Beyond the Big Three are
some ornery, supreme talents.
Rickie Fowler. Dustin Johnson.
Bubba Watson. Henrik Stenson.
Shouldn't it be mildly irritating to
them when these stars find themselves
bombarded with Big Three propa-
ganda, when they know they could –
and should – be part of that elite
group?
All Rickie Fowler did in 2015 is win
the Players Championship, the Ab-
erdeen Asset Management Scottish
Open, and a FedEx Playoffs event, the
Deutsche Bank Championship. Pair
that with top-5 finishes in all the 2014
majors and his immense popularity
and you have an argument for a Big 4.
And how can anybody leave out
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Let's not forget that among all the surgeries …
Woods is one of the most determined, resilient,
tough-guy competitors golf has ever known.
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